nothing off the top of my head but then again im sure I miss a lot being only 17 haha.

What to do for fun

uhhhh. well there are a few clubs but because of the nature of a 2 yr college its more of an off campus recreational atmosphere.

Food and Dining

professional cooking done by the culinary arts students.

Dorm Life

all off campus. no dorms. 2 year

Academic Rigor

they will put you through your paces. of course it varies from course to course, but in my chosen field of welding I have yet to be disappointed.

Tips for prospective students

ask question! speak up and don't hide in the back of the class, it can be very dog eat dog. if you want to be noticed speak up take leadership positions, and remember networking is your very best friend!

Michael from Bellingham, WA

Those who want real-world, blue-collar skills Those who want to skip the 4-year drudgery and debt and get into the workplace

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There's an entire building for the weld and auto-body repair shops. For a tech school, it's incredibly well-equipped.

Bang for the buck

My quarterly tuition is about 2500. Equipment runs about another 500 depending on what you already have, but they tell you it's 2k. I'm learning an incredible amount in an insanely short time, and it beats the crap out of 4-year schools and $80k in debt. Downside is the communication between the school and incoming students is abysmal. I spent my summer haranguing them for information that should've been provided to new students when they registered and finally got the equipment list they told me would run about $2000 less than a week before term started. They cut a lot of the fat and stick to practical application classes, but be prepared for inordinate amounts of frustration while you're getting registered.

What to do for fun

I hit the ground running with 11-hour days not including homework, so you better enjoy what you're studying. When you do have some downtime, there are good clubs and bars downtown, not to mention the waterfront.

Food and Dining

I hear the cafeteria and culinary arts building serves great food (for a school) at pretty decent prices. $2 for a burger they make while you wait.

Dorm Life

There are no dorms or any on-campus housing.

Academic Rigor

The book work is more time-consuming than anything, but the practical application classes have an insane learning curve. I went from never having welded before in my life on day 1 to laying down production-grade welds by day 3. It's hard and fast, but if you can keep up you'll do excellent.

Tips for prospective students

If you can find current or past students from here, talk to them about materials lists, the instructors don't have to have it to you until a week before class starts, which can screw you if you need a lot of expensive tools. Best way to do it if you're going for any degree that needs tools, start getting them now to avoid (a) a rush at the end of summer or (b) dropping a bunch of money in a very short time.

In three sentences

The hands-on, practical classes are great; the gen ed, not so much. Their internal IT department is a joke, so good luck with any tech issues. Overall, not bad, and it beats a 4-year school.

Kala from Deming, WA

11/26/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 of 11

Categories

Comments

In three sentences

It's a great place to learn a trade. BTC is the closest technical college to where I live, and it offers many different high demand degrees and certifications. I'm lucky to be attending this school for a high demand trade.

Shaun from Oak Harbor, WA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
5 of 11

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

As far as I saw, there wasn't anything that hinted at gang activity or robberies.

Great for these types of students

Hands on thinkers, loves to get their hands dirty, passionate about working in the trades

Bang for the buck

One of the cheapest places in the state.

Dorm Life

3 stars,but really should be No rating, as they don't have any.

Academic Rigor

Being in an internship with local businesses is part of the curriculum, so you know what you're getting into and have a greater chance at a job after you finish college. On top of that, they only make you take the core classes that you need, so the more prepared you come, the more you can focus on your career path.

In three sentences

Great, quiet community out of the way from commotion. Very small-town feeling. Lots of greenery around the place

Bernadette from Ferndale, WA

Who enjoy small campus' and disabled students who need accomodations and accessibility.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Diversity day, great fun

Bang for the buck

Good teaching.

What to do for fun

Join the Student body, volunteer Coaching for ESL, GED and Computer basic classes. Work at the library. Enjoy the winter sports on Mt. Baker, join a team for the annual Ski to Sea.

Food and Dining

Great cafeteria food, restaurant and coffee bar.

Dorm Life

Non applicable

Academic Rigor

Solid. The employers in the area help design courses by saying what they need on the job site. So you come away with some useful skills.

Tips for prospective students

Great hand on education, the instructors are professionals from their respective fields. Most of them know what the industry needs. So spend time talking to them when you can. Use a planner, they are available here and will help you handle your classes and assignments professionally.

In three sentences

Small campus, easy to get around, and located at the edge of Bellingham city. Small class sizes, and help from the instructor. Friendly and helpful administration staff.

Jasper from Bellingham, WA

0 out of 4 people found this review useful.
1 person found it offensive.
9 of 11

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

waaayy too safe. even at night

Clubs and Activities

no frats no organized mud wrestling

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

not recommended to party hardy

What to do for fun

go to church

Food and Dining

padlocks on all dumpsters not accessible until tuesdays

Dorm Life

the nearest bridge is full of blackberries and poison oak during the summer plus it gets too drafty most nights

Academic Rigor

way too much work and luerning

Tips for prospective students

better be in a 23 step program or allergic to weed or classes will mess your mind up

In three sentences

not a party school. there are no fraternities or night club discounts for students of btc. classes interfere way too much with weed and binge drinking and the staff are not commited to providing a free pass if you show up drunk to class. two thumbs down.

Kaily from Bellingham, WA

01/29/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

10 of 11

Categories

Comments

Dorm Life

at bellingham technical there aren't any dorms.

Academic Rigor

delivering excellence in workforce education and using innovative teaching and learning practices are critical to student achievement and regional prosperity. with a student population that is becoming increasingly diverse and a growing need to support our students so they learn, grow and lead, we must continue to invest in the success of our students. excellence and innovation, student access and success, a welcoming campus environment, resource development, and increasing our visibility and impact in the community are goals we achieve every day at bellingham technical college. this strategic plan is a manifestation of those goals in action.

Tips for prospective students

sign up for financial aid even if you think you aren't qualified, sign up. know who your student advisor is or will be, that way you can organize your schedule so you will know all the classes you need in order to graduate.

In three sentences

the goal of bellingham technical college is agile excellence. they seek, with this strategic plan, to be an educational institution with multiple access points, meeting the needs of a variety of students presenting a variety of life needs that influence the how, when, and where they must learn. also, we seek, to be an educational institution upon which business and industry can depend to quickly supply quality workers ready and able to meet their workforce needs.

Brian from Freeland, WA

Great place for students who would like to learn practical, real world skills so that they can get back to work.

Tips for prospective students

Study up before taking the Accuplacer entrance exam. Maybe visit math.com or something like it. This will save you pre-req time and money.

Bang for the buck

Tuition and books are expensive, but relative to other community colleges, BTC is not out of line. Prices may vary widely between different classes and programs, but my full time schedule runs roughly $1300 per quarter for tuition and $310 per quarter for books.

Am enjoying being here

I am enjoying my time at BTC. I am currently serving on the PTEC safety committee, enjoy active membership in Phi Theta Kappa honor society and attend student body and effective communications meetings regularly. There is no gym or athletic program at this time (as of Spring 2010).

Am learning a lot

September of 2009 I lost my job of 19 years at Philips Ultrasound in a large scale reduction in force. I researched my options carefully and found Bellingham Technical College to be well aligned with local industry. In just my first two quarters I have learned so much about my new field of industrial processes, especially petroleum refining and electric power generation.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.